Spare tire security system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a security device to protect the spare tire on a vehicle from possible theft. The spare tire, especially in sport utility vehicles, is located on the rear underside of the vehicle and is secured by a cable and yoke. The security device comprises a plate or disk which is attached to the spare tire rim and prevents unauthorized access to cable and yoke, thereby minimizing the possibility of theft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In most sport utility vehicles (SUV), the spare tire is located on the rear underside of the vehicle. A wench type mechanism attached to a cable and yoke is used to secure the spare tire to the underside of the vehicle and permit ready access to the tire when needed. However, a thief can easily cut the steel cable attached to the yoke and remove the spare tire. Thus, the owner of the SUV will have the expense of replacing the entire assembly as well as the spare tire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partial system used to secure a spare tire to underside of a vehicle and showing the spare tire, cable and yoke.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the security device which attaches to the underside of the tire rim, preventing access to the cable and yoke unless the wench type mechanism is used to lower the spare tire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, the spare tire security system comprises a yoke and cable B which secures the spare tire A to the underside of the vehicle by means of a wench type mechanism (not shown). The security device C comprises a plate or disk with a plurality of bolts affixed thereto and which is attached to the spare tire rim by means of suitable nuts, such as wing nuts (as shown). Hence the security device prevents unauthorized access to the cable yoke and cable, thereby minimizing the possibility of theft. 

1. (canceled)
 2. A security device for securing a spare tire to the underside of a vehicle, the security device comprising: a spare tire; a winch mechanism including a cable and a yoke; a circular securing plate; and, wherein in an installed position, the winch mechanism couples the spare tire to the underside of the vehicle and the securing plate resides against an outer surface of the spare tire to prevent access to the cable and the yoke.
 3. The security device of claim 2, wherein the securing plate has an opening that receives a bolt to secure the plate against the spare tire.
 4. The security device of claim 3, wherein a nut is connected to the bolt to secure the plate against an outer surface of the spare tire.
 5. The security device of claim 4, wherein the nut resides between an inner surface of the spare tire and the underside of the vehicle in the installed position.
 6. The security device of claim 2, wherein the yoke resides between the spare tire and the plate.
 7. The security device of claim 2, wherein the securing plate extends beyond an inner periphery of the spare tire in the installed position.
 8. The security device of claim 2, wherein the securing plate resides inward of an outer periphery of the spare tire in the installed position.
 9. The security device of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of bolts and nuts, wherein each bolt extends through an opening in both the plate and the spare tire and wherein each bolt connects with a nut to secure the plate against the spare tire.
 10. A security device for securing a spare tire to the underside of a vehicle, the security device comprising: a spare tire having a rim; a winch mechanism including a cable and a yoke, wherein the winch mechanism allows for detachable coupling of the spare tire to the underside of the vehicle; a securing plate residing against an outer surface of the spare tire, wherein the plate entirely covers both the rim and an inner periphery of the spare tire to prevent access to the cable and the yoke.
 11. The security device of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of bolts and nuts, wherein each bolt extends through an opening in both the plate and the spare tire and wherein each bolt connects with a nut to secure the plate against the spare tire.
 12. The security device of claim 11, wherein the nuts reside between an inner surface of the spare tire and the underside of the vehicle.
 13. The security device of claim 10, wherein the yoke resides between the spare tire and the plate.
 14. The security device of claim 10, wherein the securing plate resides inward of an outer periphery of the spare tire.
 15. The security device of claim 14, wherein the security plate has a circular outer periphery and extends beyond the inner periphery of the spare tire.
 16. A security device for securing a spare tire to the underside of a vehicle, the security device comprising: a spare tire having a rim, the spare tire positioned against the underside of the vehicle; a circular securing plate residing against an outer surface of the spare tire and covering the rim, wherein the plate has an outer periphery that extends beyond an inner periphery of the spare tire.
 17. The security device of claim 16, further comprising a winch mechanism including a cable and a yoke, wherein the winch mechanism allows for detachable coupling of the spare tire to the underside of the vehicle, and wherein the plate prevents access to the cable and the yoke.
 18. The security device of claim 17, wherein the yoke resides between the spare tire and the plate.
 19. The security device of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of bolts and nuts, wherein each bolt extends through an opening in both the plate and the rim, and wherein each bolt connects with a nut to secure the plate against the spare tire.
 20. The security device of claim 19, wherein the nuts reside between an inner surface of the rim and the underside of the vehicle.
 21. The security device of claim 19, wherein the plate includes three openings that are spaced approximately 120 degrees apart.
 22. The security device of claim 16, wherein the outer periphery of the securing plate resides inward of an outer periphery of the spare tire. 